The P-39 was an unusual design when it appeared in 1937. Among its many unorthodox design features are the mounting of the engine behind the pilot, the use of automobile type doors on the sides of the cockpit, and tricycle landing gear. Although performance was good at low altitudes, it was poor higher up but a large nose-mounted cannon made it effective for ground attack. Pima's example is in the marks of 110th TRS, New Guinea, 1944

Owned by David C Tallichet - Military Aircraft Restoration Corp and painted in Soviet Air Force markings. W/o on 05 May 1944 at Alaska Highway 141 miles, AK. Recovered from its crash site to Fort Nelson, BC, Canada in Nov 1971. Displayed at the Air Museum Chino later marked as USAAF 42-19027.

The 5th Air Force assigned this Airacobra to New Guinea in June 1943. The aircraft was abandoned at Tadji Airfield and remained there for thirty years until recovered in 1974. Pictured on static display at the Planes of Fame Museum, it was sold to Fred Johnson of the Museum Aeronautica in Tacoma WA in 1987 with the intention of making it airworthy. With wartime names "Small Fry" on the right and "Little Sir Echo" on the left, it returned to the Planes of Fame Museum in 2002 where it remains on display.

Previous displayed with fake serial (42-19027)

Preserved ex USAAF 42-8740. Hulk recovered from Papua NG in 1974

This P-39 has two kills from its time stationed in the Pacific with the 5th AF. It was abandoned on Tadji airfield, PNG during July 1944 until recovered by Yesterday's AF/MARC in 1974. 'Small Fry' is now on display at the Planes of Fame Museum.